(06 Jul 2023, 11:56 am)Drifter60 wrote There’s a few examples like the 1, whereby really the cross city link is often just the best way to operate it. Things like the 20 and 2/2A are two separate services just merged together, that’s not say cross city links aren’t used though. But I’m the 2/2A case if you wanted to go Silksworth to Royal Hospital you’d probably save time using the 33 or Stagecoach. And clearly the 20 is operational reasons as otherwise Durham and Langley Park is miles from the nearest GNE depot.
The X21 is a bit like that also, despite what is sometimes spoke about on this forum is there many people really going from Bishop Auckland to Newcastle?! It exists a through route for two reasons, 1) there’s not depot in Durham so makes operational sense to tack it on the end of something else 2) Bonus, of the cross Durham links to the Arnison Centre & Hospital.
The 50 is another route which sorts of two stretches Washington to South Shields and then Washington to Durham. But if someone did want to go Durham to South Shields the 50 would probably the best way, but I don’t think it’s a common travel link?
And The 4 is the closest to what you say, there wouldn’t be much reason of anyone using it from Houghton to Washington point to point as the X1 does it quicker. If you were going Houghton to Heworth, you’d be best going X1 to Galleries then the 4, that what I used to do.
Aye totally, there's still quite a few who cross across though like the B - C for the 50 would arguably be Washington to CLS. Can't think of any routes where they'd be busy like South Shields - Washington then CLS to Durham but no-one at all does CLS to Washington. Be an odd route.
(06 Jul 2023, 1:03 pm)ian foster wrote 308 is still popular because at least it is a direct route unlike the tedious 309 and 306. certainly Marden, Preston Grange, New York the Metro is of little or no use. It needs an express bus along the Coast Rd. to tempt people out of their cars like the 44 used to.
I know what you say but any express route should go via Cobalt imo for the opposite flow. It's absolutely ridiculous that the biggest business park is connected via a bus that goes around High Farm and Battle Hill, it's just unattractive. Miss out Cobalt and you'll have empty buses against the peak.
Any express needs to serve Cobalt, if you really wanted to serve Marden then something like the below would be the best with a Blyth to North Shields coast bus going wherever after as there's probably no need for more than 2 buses beyond Whitley via the Coast Road, especially with the X7 aswell up there and opens more links especially along the Coast for leisure users with a new North Shields - Fish Quay - Tynemouth - Longsands - Cullercoats - Whitley Bay - Lighthouse - Seaton Sluice - Blyth Beach bus which are all disconnected atm.
With the other buses all serving Battle Hill etc to cover the remaining 308, 310 and 311. It's the best compromise for people in both directions.